Number of Fishes

[myfs_78405]

Hi Cecil,
To avoid mosquito's breeding in my fountain, I decided to rear some fishes. could you please advise what is the minimum number of fishes I should have though I heard that having 9 fishes is good for feng shui. Nevertheless, I do not wish to have many fishes.
Your advise, pls.
Thank you.
Nina

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Nina,

1. One option is to acquire mosquito larvae granules, which can be found at various plant nurseries throughout the island. The cost for a bottle or packet ranges from S$3.50 to S$4.50.
2. A single tablespoon of these granules can sustain for several weeks.
3. Regarding fish:
There are numerous interpretations concerning the quantity of fish:
1. The concept of Yin and Yang suggests that water is associated with Yin (softness). Yin is also symbolized by even numbers such as 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, etc. To achieve balance in a fish tank, it is recommended to have an odd number of fish, as odd numbers represent Yang. This creates a harmonious presence of both Yin and Yang. Yang is represented by odd numbers like 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc.
4. Typically, a fish tank accommodates a solitary dragon fish. Although dragon fish are territorial, having one fish is considered to embody Yang, thus ensuring the presence of both Yin and Yang in the tank.
5. For a small fountain, dragon fish or koi fish are unsuitable due to their need for ample space, including both depth and width.
6. While this point may not pertain to Feng Shui, if you intend to keep fish, it may be advisable to replace the fountain pump with a fish tank filter or pump. A fountain pump merely circulates water through a rotating fan, which could result in small fish being harmed, akin to a smashed sardine spread.
7. For a fountain, it is ideal to incorporate all five elements:
- Water in the tank (actual water)
- Fire represented by lighting
- Wood symbolized by a water plant or a plant placed adjacent to the fountain
- Earth represented by stones or other objects within the fountain
- Metal, which is best represented by a rounded shape of the fountain. Since goldfish (or ranchu, the Japanese term for goldfish) are associated with the metal element, I believe it is unnecessary to adhere to a specific number of fish, especially when the metal element is already present. The reasoning behind not specifying a number of fish is that often, one or two may inadvertently perish, leading to the inconvenience of replacing them each time. This could ultimately result in one losing interest in maintaining the fish. Another factor to consider is that in many cases.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

 

Quote

On 11/5/2002 2:21:00 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Hi Cecil,
To avoid mosquito's breeding
in my fountain, I decided to
rear some fishes. could you
please advise what is the
minimum number of fishes I
should have though I heard
that having 9 fishes is good
for feng shui. Nevertheless,
I do not wish to have many
fishes.
Your advise, pls.
Thank you.
Nina

[Cecil Lee]

Related: Arowana Fish & Feng Shui

https://www.geomancy.net/resources/art/arowanafish.htm

More...

 

Hi Master Cecil, It is nice to be able to have guest speaker. Happy to know that this time the Live Chat will be on Feng Shui. Thanks to the club for bring us this opportunity.

Anyway, here goes my questions. I recently bought a red arowana at one of the lfs and it is 6 inches close to 7 inches now. However 1 week after bringing it back home, my arowana keep jumping and in the process lost a few scales and even spilt the tail. I have an adult Pahang Gold and during its younger days do not display such a character.

Consulted a friend who advise me to place $8 inside the red packet and place it above the tank. Mine happen to be glass tank but surprisingly it stop jumping till this day. I know this is funny but I do hope that you will shed some lights on my concern. What will happen if I were to remove the red packet.

Reply:

2.1 The core of Chinese sciences of the Universe: Feng Shui, the Chinese Astrology and various other Divinity methods revolves around the understanding of the importance of the Five Elements. These elements are Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal and are considered the building blocks of life.

2.2 According to ancient Chinese, these  Five Elements are interactive, shape and stimulate our daily life.

2.3 Under the productive cycle of Feng Shui, Water nourish plants and trees: producing Wood, Wood makes Fire which burnt into ashes to form Earth, Earth is the source of Metal. Metal can be condensed to water or can be melted into liquid i.e. `Water'.

2.4 Feng Shui utilizes the Five elements concept, also.

2.5 For example, assuming a specific house is at the ground floor and from the living room window, one can see a lamp post slicing through the window. Under Feng Shui, this is considered as a threat for the owners of the house and need to be neutralized.

2.6 Since the lamp post is tall and thin; even if it is made of metal or wood, it is still considered as a `tree?which is considered as the WOOD element.

2.7 Please refer to the productive cycle of the Five Elements concept: https://www.geomancy.net/resources/theories/fs-5element.htm

 

EARTH -> METAL ->  WATER -> WOOD (THREAT) -> FIRE -> EARTH

2.8 To neutralize the  WOOD threat, a Geomancer may advise his/her client to utilize all FIVE elements:-

We can introduce the following elements:

2.9 But often the fire element may not be enough to create a full balance. Since red colour represents the fire element,  a simple solution like a red packet can help to increase the fire element to create a balance. 

 

Even Suntec City fountain has the following elements:-

2.10 This is a sketch of a typical Feng Shui fountain (Qi enhancer) incorporating all Five elements:-

• 1. EARTH element: This is represented by a rectangular fish tank and pebbles in the tank.

  2. METAL element: Goldfish or dragon fish

  3. WATER element: The actual water in the tank

  4. FIRE element: E.g. red coloured goldfish or fish tank lighting

  1. EARTH element: This is represented by water flowing down to the centre-point or to the earth.

  2. METAL element: The bronze ring is made of metal. And also circle represents the metal element.

  3. WATER element: The actual water flowing down from the ring.

  4. FIRE element: The laser light display.

 

2.11 In the above illustration, Metal element is represented by a round ball. Water element is represented by real water flowing under the ball (rotating it).

It is not too difficult to add the other three elements:

2.12 Due to the time dimensions of Feng Shui, it is most likely that the current location of your fish tank has an imbalance of or lacking the fire element to harmonize that sector. Without further analysis to determine correctly this sector, it is difficult to say for sure if removing the red packet may cause any problems.  The adage: ?If it is not broken, don't fix it is true ?

• • Lights (represent Fire element)
  • Plants can be added e.g. a potted plant next to this fountain.
  • Earth element is represented by the material of the fountain e.g. granite.